The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-06-25
STORY OF a sHlPwREck.


STORY OF A sHiPWREck.
How Jack. the sBrave,- Rescued the Grow
Of His Fathers ship His Reward. i
On the shore of certain State along
the Atlantic coast, and in spot where
rocky capes abound. there lived fam
lily Of apparently low birth. The name
was Henderson.
The father was seafaring man. and
spent most of his time in cruising
among the Southern seas, and it was
not often that he visited his home, ex-
cept when his course happened to lie
along that coast. The son, a tall. we'll
built, handsome lad of eighteen. was
the pride of the old mans heart, and
we may also say the main support of
the family. as he exchanged the pro-
ducts of the sea for those Of the fertile
fields Of the neighboring villages
This individuals name was Jack, or,
| as he was called. The Brave, " a name,
as we shall see later on in the story, OF
which he was not at all unworthy.
Jack had two sisters, beautiful girls OF
twelve and sixteen. The above named,
| including the poor mother and faith
full old servant, comprised the Hender-
son family.
The house in which they lived was,
rs it seemed, the cabin of some ship
which had persisted on that dangerous
shore. The outside of this strange
abode was rough and desolate, but all
within was solid comfort and even
showed signs Of skill on the part of the
two maidens who had the duty of
housekeeping to perform, their mother
being too old to give the proper atten-
ton.
The cabin was wedged in between
two large rocks, 30 as to make it proof
against the fiercest gale and also to
protect it from the tides In front there
was rude wharf constructed Of pine
| trees dashed together with the fibre Of
some plant which grew in the neighbor-
hood. One looking at this wharf could
see at first sight that Jack's-our hero
idle moments had not been wasted.
On either side was large coil Of rope
fastened down by iron clamps. In the
center there was stack Of life pre-
servers made Of straw and the bark Of
some tropical tree, which his father
had gathered in his wanderings. In
front there was flash-light erected fol
the purpose Of warning passing ships
against the dangers of that coast; while
i the water. and fastened to the wharf
by strong cords attached to iron spikes
| there floated several skifEs, each having
! . pretty and appropriate name.
In fact, on that little wharf yov
would have seen complete life-sayinl
apparatus. This was Jacks pride, ant
: well it might be; for by that inanimat'
coil Of rope. assisted by his Drawn.
arm, many life had been saved AM
many blessings called down upon tina
noble lad.
The time at which the present nara
3 tive begins was during the month Q
. September, and at time when th
I mighty deep was disturbed by storm
Q of the iiercest kind. Tho smoke curle'
: up from the chimney Of the little cabin
for the wind had set in. driving all i'd
strollers into their homes.
!, It was on one Of these cold, blea
= mornings that Jack Henderson ros
!, from an uneasy sleep; for the Wind ha
+ been blowing gale, and even now. q
n he stood facing seaward. he could see th
g white foam dash against the projectin
. rocks and then rise into mountains
8 spray.
p The air was cold and foggy, and q
3 dark clouds were driven swiftly alon
:. their course; in fact, it was such da
le as caused all labor to be suspended
"a and Jack had foreboding that som
!. thing wrong was about to turn u
,e Consequently. after seeing that all b
It things were in order, ne assembled I'M
y the highest window. glass in hand,
+ watch.
n Several hours passed in this wa
lo during which the rain fell in torren
o. and the turbulent sea seemed IS Il
ID were troubled by some supernatur
= force.
At length the clouds began to brea
n and = faint CLEAN Of light peer
q through the aperture. Jack placed Il
i glass to his eyes and gazed long q
or steadily, when. all Of : sudden.
n rushed out upon the wharf with wi
er cry, calling TO his eldest sister. Emil
- to follow him At no great distan
or from the shore and heading straig
N into the rocks, he could see his father
n. ship--the Albatross
4. No sooner did his sister understal
ve the situation than she was by B
to brothers side. helping to unfasten :
be- ropes aud put them into one OF {
p- largest skiGk When al things OF .
| ,sc s-nro mt Snfo the hat the r